With over 3.6m inhabitants, Busan is South Korea's second largest city after Seoul and known as the summer capital of the country. Despite its size, the city is a relaxed and laid-back dynamic port city full of character boasting superb beaches, the freshest seafood, energetic festivals and plenty of options for a pamper. 

This coastal city produces some of the most exquisite seafood in the country, with tourists flocking from all over the world to sample. One of the best places to get a taste of the local delicacies is Jagalchi, the largest fish market in Korea, offering a variety of restaurants and just about every sea creature you can think of.  

Fancy some rest and relaxation? An essential part of modern-day Korean culture is to unwind at a traditional bathhouse. Busan has over 450 spas to choose from and the ultimate place to experience the country’s jjimjilbang culture, which literally translates to “heated rooms”. Or, catch some sunrays at Haeundae Beach, the largest beach in South Korea, or one of the many other beaches and nearby islands. 

There’s no shortage of places to shop in Busan, with the largest departmental store in the world, Shinsegae Centum City Department Store, situated here. For a more local shopping experience, a stop at Gukje Market which was established during the Korean War in 1950, intended to be a place for refugees to set up shop to make a living. It soon grew into a thriving, popular market. You can find vendors selling both new and old affordable items here. 

Busan is also home to one of the largest film industry and festivals, known as the “City of Film” having been placed by UNESCO in the Creative City Network. There’s a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, including the largest film festival of Asia, known as Busan International Film Festival, as well as Global K-pop Music Festival, Busan International Rock Festival, Busan Sea Festival, Busan Fireworks Festival, and Busan Port Festival.